The AKC Canine Health Foundation Awards Three New Grants through … has published a set of infectious-disease fact sheets and a Q&A handout addressing SARS‑CoV‑2 aimed at dog breeders.

The materials are part of the foundation’s effort to provide educational resources and practical tools that advance the health of dogs and support breeders in preventing and managing contagious conditions. The CHF says the fact sheets cover basic disease information alongside specifics on how diseases spread, common symptoms and recommended preventive measures. Some of the most common serious infectious diseases affecting dogs include canine distemper, parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis, rabies, kennel cough, and leptospirosis. Breeders can mitigate these risks by implementing robust vaccination protocols and maintaining good hygiene practices.

The foundation, described in its organizational statement as dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs and their owners through sound scientific research and dissemination of health information, has made the fact sheets available online; the resource page is listed at akcchf.org/tophealthconcerns. Each fact sheet is designed to translate technical findings into breeder-ready guidance about infectious agents and biosecurity. Additionally, the AKC Canine Health Foundation supports breeders by funding research and creating practical tools like infectious disease fact sheets, webinars, and articles that translate scientific findings into clear, breeder-focused guidance on disease prevention, testing, and management.

Among the new materials is a Q&A handout that focuses on SARS‑CoV‑2 and its implications for dogs and people in breeding settings. The handout provides a concise format intended to answer common questions breeders may have about transmission risk and steps to reduce exposure in kennels and during breeding activities. To ensure adherence to best practices, breeders should follow parent club–recommended health screening protocols for their breed, utilizing AKC breed health testing requirements to test breeding stock for heritable and infectious diseases before breeding.

Dr. Jason Stull, identified as a researcher affiliated with Ohio State University and the University of Prince Edward, Canada, is listed in the release as a researcher; the facts note his institutional connections without attributing specific comments to him.

The CHF’s approach combines plain-language summaries with actionable items: the published fact sheets include sections on disease spread, symptom recognition and prevention strategies that breeders and caretakers can apply in daily operations. The foundation’s broader work — funding science and creating practical breeder tools — is part of a longer program of translating evidence into applied resources for the breeding community; the AKC’s breeder-focused programs provide complementary guidance on health testing and husbandry. Breeders are also encouraged to stay current with emerging research to continuously enhance their practices and ensure their dogs’ wellbeing.

Readers seeking the foundation’s announcements and supporting materials can find related content on the AKC Canine Health Foundation site and in its press materials. The CHF press release announcing recent initiatives and funding is available from the foundation’s site and outlines the organization’s continuing investments in canine health research and education. For context on breeder programs and health-testing recommendations, the AKC’s breeder-program pages describe standards and support resources for responsible breeding practices.

The foundation emphasizes that the fact sheets are intended as educational tools rather than clinical directives; veterinarians remain the primary source for individualized medical advice for dogs. CHF materials aim to help breeders recognize potential signs of infectious disease, understand pathways of spread, and adopt preventive measures that reduce risk in multi‑dog environments.

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